Automatic arch support for shoes



6, 1927. 1,652,034 H. C. MAYERS AUTOMATIC ARCH SUPPORT FOR SHOES Filed Nov. 1926 glwuentozi 5,, WW/flaw,

ti L.

; on account of my invention.

Patented Dec. 6, 1 927. f

HORACE Q YE MQNTGOMERY, or PORTLAND; IN

or CLEVELAND, OHIO, Assrenon or onn naizr 'ro razor:

i "AU'ro'MArIc ARCH sorronr nortsnons. f

' *Applic ation filed November 5,1926. eria1'I Io.=146,32 0.:

The object of .thisinvention, broadly stated, .is to provide an automatic, .built-in, flexible and elastic arch support; for the shanks ofzshoes, thesame being simple in character, positive yet flexible in its actions,

automatic in operation, and which can be made and installedata comparatively low price without materially addingto the cost of the production of shoes.

Morespecifically stated my object is to provide an elastic element locatedin connection with the shank of a shoe-,the same to be installed under'tension such asto cause the shank of the shoe'to assume the shape of an arch which will yield to the pressure of ones foot but. still contact the inner face of the shank of-the shoe with the arch of the wearers foot, thereby affording a firm yet flexible support for the foot, which support will automatically adjust itself to all parts of the arch of onesfoot and will at all times exert pressure thereon regardless of the position of the foot. I 7 Other particular objects and advantages of this invention will suggest themselves in the course of the following description.

The preferred means for carrying out the objects and principles of my invention in av practical manner is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which-Figure 1 is a bottom or underside plan view of a portion of a shoe, the outer sole being omitted, showing my inventionsecured in operativeposition. Figure 2is a cross section of a portion of a shoe showing my invention in position, taken as on the line 22"of Fig.1, but showing the outer sole of the shoe in position. And Figure 3 is a side elevation of a shoe in which my invention is incorporated, showing the position the shoe would normally assume Similar indices denote several views.

In order that the invention and its connection with a shoe may be more fully understood and appreciated, I will now take up a detailed description thereof, in which I will set forth the same as'fully and as comprehensively as I may. I i t I In the drawings letter A denotes the outer sole of a shoe. B denotes the inner sole. C denotes the shoe upper, and D denotes the heel. All of said parts are of usual construction and I-make .no claim thereto, as they may be of various shapes, styles, and sizes.

like parts in the Theinvention proper comprisesa length I of comparatively heavy and highly elastic material, such as elastic-rubber which, for

convenience of .description,;1 will designate a rubber tongue 1.. The said tongue 1 is of a width somewhat less than the width of the inner sole B, and it is of such length as to extend from the heel, over the shank of the distance to the rear of the forward part of the heel D.

The attachment of the tongue 1 at the rear.-

is by means of nails 2, or otherwise. The forward end of the tongue 1 is likewise se- -shoe, to the forward part of the sole, I as 1 shown in Fig.1.

cured by nails 3, or otherwise, tothe inner sole B and to the outer sole A, where it lies therebetweenf However, before being secured at its forward end, the tongue 1 is to be stretched, that is brought to considerable tension, whereby the ends of they tongue will at all times, after beingsecured, be inclined to move toward each other. The tension thus attained is such tha when the shoe is completed that it will cause the shank portion of both the inner'and the outer sole to arch, as indicated at lin Fig.

.3, thereby causing the'shoe to normally assume approximately the shape shown in Fig. 3.

, Numeral 5 denotes'a fabric pocket, open at. each end, in which pocket the tongue 1 is located and in which it is adapted to expand and contract. The fedges of said pocket are secured to the inner sole by means of stitching, 6 and'7. Said pocket provides for the movements of the tongue 1 as it expands orcontracts. In order to cause the tongue 1 to expand and contract more freely in said pocket, a small quantity'of graphite or talcum powder may be sifted into'the pocket 5. When constructed asabove set forth it is evident that I provide a built-in arch supportwhich will not hurt ones foot, as it will fit the arch thereof, and adjust itself to the various movements of the'foot,and also act as a cushion, and at all times tend to restore or preserve the natural arch of ones foot] The process ofinstalling my invention is quite simple, and it can be done as the shoe is being built, or it can be installed in the shoe after the shoe is built, by simplyremovtit) ing the outer sole and the heel, then :ittuohing, my device as set forth and then restoring the outer sole and the heel to their original positions.

I desire that it he understood that various changes may be made in the several details of the construction herein set forth without departing from the spirit of the invention and Without sacrificing any of the advantages ihereot which are new and useful.

Having now fully shown and described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-- n An arch support, comprising in combinefoot, and a pocket member secured between the soles through which the elastic tongue extends.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name to this specification.

HORACE C. MAYERS. i 

